Refrigerator with system for controlling drawer temperatures

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator is provided with a refrigerated compartment comprising one or more zones in thermal communication with each other and with each zone independently controlled and operated at a particular temperature. Each zone temperature is controlled by a separate evaporator or heat exchanger. A method for maintaining different temperatures in one or more zones in thermal communication with one another in a refrigerator is also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to refrigerators, includingrefrigerators with separate temperature zones controlled by separateheat exchangers.

BACKGROUND

Many modern refrigerators operate by sharing air flow from a single heatexchanger between a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment tomaintain each compartment at desired temperatures. In suchrefrigerators, colder air typically is borrowed or forced from thefreezer compartment to mix with warmer air in the fresh foodcompartment. This colder air can be forced into the entire fresh foodcompartment for expedited cooling thereof, or, can be directed tocertain areas of the fresh food compartment to chill certain areas morequickly. Generally, the refrigerator and freezer compartments areseparated by an insulated wall, with the two compartments not being inthermal communication with each other.

Some conventional refrigerators create dual temperature zones byutilizing adjustable dampers between the two compartments and athermostat that controls the temperature required to switch off thecompressor and evaporator fan. Other refrigerators employ a separatethermostat to electronically control dampers within the freezercompartment. In these refrigerators, temperature settings typically areadjusted in one compartment relative to the other compartment.

SUMMARY

The refrigerator, as detailed herein, provides one or more temperaturezones, a system for maintaining the different zones at differenttemperatures, a first evaporator or heat exchanger for cooling the firstzone, a second evaporator or heat exchanger for cooling a separatesecond zone, and a system for controlling drawer temperatures within thefirst zone.

In accordance with one embodiment, a refrigerator is provided having acabinet with a refrigerated compartment. The refrigerated compartmentcomprises one or more zones in thermal communication with each other andwith each zone operated at a particular temperature. In another aspect,a method for controlling the temperatures of one or more zones in arefrigerator is provided.

A refrigerator as detailed herein, comprises one or more temperaturezones and a system for controlling the zones at different temperatures.For a more complete understanding of the present invention, referenceshould be made to the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the figures. Although the figures illustrate a refrigeratorhaving two separate zones, the refrigerator may comprise several zones,which can be maintained at various temperatures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a refrigerator with dual evaporators and a dualair circulation system.

FIG. 2 provides a partial view of a refrigerator with first and secondzones, with the first zone being in a drawer.

FIG. 3 provides a partial view of a refrigerator illustrating the airducts in the first zone.

FIG. 4 provides a partial view of a refrigerator illustrating first zoneair inlets and outlets.

FIG. 5 provides a partial view of a refrigerator illustrating the firstzone evaporator.

FIG. 6 provides a partial view of a refrigerator illustrating air flowwithin the first zone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 5 includes a refrigeration systemfor cooling a first zone 10, and a separate, second zone 100. The secondzone 100 can be, for example, a fresh food compartment, and the firstzone 10 can be, for example, a chilled compartment or drawers (e.g.,useful for storing meat). The refrigeration system comprises acompressor 280, a condenser 290, an expansion valve 300, a firstevaporator or heat exchanger 20 situated in air flow communication withthe first zone 10, and a second evaporator or heat exchanger 110situated in air flow communication with the second zone 100. Therefrigeration system optionally can include a thermostat (not shown).The condenser typically includes a warm air exhaust fan to remove heatfrom the condenser. The first evaporator 20 substantially cools thefirst zone 10, while the second evaporator 110 substantially cools thesecond zone 100. Typically, though not necessarily, the first zone 10 ismaintained about 2 to about 10° F. cooler than the second zone 100.

The first zone 10 is cooled by the circulation of air that has beenpassed over the first evaporator or heat exchanger 20. A firstevaporator fan 30 draws air across the first evaporator 20, with thecooled air passing through a first duct 40. The first evaporator fan 30generates a first air flow 80 within the first zone 10. Although thefirst duct 40 and first evaporator 20 are located behind the first zonerear wall 50 in FIG. 1, any number of duct configurations are possiblefor cooling the first zone 10. For example, the first air flow 80 canpass through one or more ducts with one or more inlets and outletslocated in various positions throughout the first zone 10. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the first duct 40 is in communication with thefirst zone 10 by a first zone inlet 60 and a first zone outlet 70. Thefirst zone inlet 60 can be positioned below the first zone outlet 70,above the first zone outlet 70, or horizontal to the first zone outlet70.

As provided in FIG. 1, the second zone 100 is cooled in manner analogousto first zone 10 by circulation of refrigerated air, which has beenpassed over the second evaporator or heat exchanger 110. A secondevaporator fan 120 draws air across the second evaporator 110, typicallywith the cooled air passing through a second duct 130 behind the rearwall 170 of the fresh food compartment or second zone 100. The secondevaporator fan 120 generates a second air flow 200 within the secondzone 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1, second duct 130 is in communicationwith the second zone 100 by one or more second zone inlets 180 and oneor more second zone outlets 190, which can be located in any positionwith respect to each other. For example, the second zone inlet 180 canbe positioned below the second zone outlet 190 or positionedhorizontally relative to the second zone outlet 190. Typically, thesecond zone inlet 180, which admits cooled air into the second zone 100after contact with the second evaporator 110, is located above thesecond zone air outlets 190 to assist in the circulation of more dense,colder air.

Although the first zone 10 is situated generally below the second zone100, near the bottom of the refrigerator in FIGS. 1-5, otherarrangements are encompassed by this invention. For example, the firstzone 10 can be located above the second zone 100, between the top andbottom of the second zone 100, beside the second zone 100, or otherwisesituated anywhere within the second zone 100. Typically, though notnecessarily, the first zone 10 is smaller than the second zone 100 andoperates at a lower temperature than the second zone 100.

The elements of the refrigeration system are connected in series in aclosed loop in a refrigerant flow relationship. In one aspect, therefrigerant flows in a continuous cycle through the expansion valve 300,through the first evaporator 20, through the second evaporator 110,through the compressor 280, through the condenser 290, and returns tothe expansion valve 300. In this configuration, air in the first zone 10passes over the first evaporator 20 and reduces the refrigerant coolingcapacity before the refrigerant passes through the second evaporator110. Accordingly, the first zone 10 is maintained at a lower temperaturethan the second zone 100, as the refrigerant continuously flows throughthe refrigeration system.

Although one type of evaporator is shown in the Figures providedherewith, this invention is not limited to a particular type ofevaporator or heat exchanger. Rather, the present invention encompassesany type of evaporator or heat exchanger known in the art. For example,an evaporator with tubes or coils in any configuration, and anevaporator with fins, plates, or similar devices attached thereto forimproved heat exchange performance, and similar devices, are allencompassed by this invention. In addition, this invention alsoencompasses any type of compressor, condenser, and expansion deviceknown in the art.

The volume of the first evaporator 20 can be smaller than the volume ofthe second evaporator 110. The internal volume of the first evaporator20 can be decreased in several ways, for example, by decreasing theinternal diameter of the evaporator coils, shortening the evaporatorcoils, decreasing the number of evaporator coils, or any combinationthereof. Similarly, the internal volume of the second evaporator 110 canbe increased in several ways, for example, by increasing the internaldiameter of the evaporator coils, lengthening the evaporator coils,increasing the number of evaporator coils, or any combination thereof.For example, the first evaporator 20 can comprise coils with a smallerinternal diameter than the internal diameter of the coils of the secondevaporator 110. Further, the coils of the first evaporator 20 can havean internal diameter that is about 10% to about 100% of the internaldiameter of the coils of the second evaporator 110. For example, thesecond evaporator 110 can comprise coils with an internal diameter ofabout ⅜ inch, while the first evaporator 20 can comprise coils with aninternal diameter of about 3/16 inch. Here, the refrigerant would expandas it proceeded from the first evaporator 20 to the second evaporator110. Alternatively, the first and second evaporators can be separated bya second expansion valve through which the refrigerant further expandsas it enters the first evaporator 20.

In FIG. 1, the first zone 10 is located below the second zone 100 and athermally conductive wall 90 separates the two zones. The wall 90 can beformed from any material that allows the first zone 10 to be in thermalcommunication with the second zone 100. The wall 90 maintains the firstair flow 80 substantially independent from the second air flow 200. Inone aspect, the wall 90 is formed from metal, plastic, or glass.Typically, the wall 90 is not insulated, but could be insulated toreduce the thermal communication between the first and second zones. Inother arrangements, the second zone 100 could share more than onethermally conductive common wall 90 with the first zone 10.

If desired, small gaps can be included between the rear or side walls ofthe refrigerator 5 and the thermally conductive wall 90 to allow airfrom the first and second zones to mix to a limited extent. Further,when the first zone 10 comprises one or more compartments or drawers,the first air flow 80 and the second air flow 200 generally mix duringthe time that the user opens the compartments or drawers. Generally, thefirst air flow 80 remains substantially independent from the second airflow 200. Alternatively, the thermally conductive wall 90 can be sealedto maintain the first air flow 80 independent from the second air flow200 when the compartments or drawers in the first zone 10 are closed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a front sectional view of a refrigerator 5 isshown with both the first and second evaporators or heat exchangersconcealed. The evaporators or heat exchangers can be located in anyposition in the respective zone, as long as the first evaporator is inair flow communication with the first zone 10 and the second evaporatorin air flow communication with the second zone 100. The first evaporatorcan be located, for example, behind the second zone rear wall 170, oroptionally, behind the first zone rear wall (not shown). The firstevaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone 10 by one ormore first zone outlets (not shown) and one or more first zone inlets(not shown). The first zone inlets and outlets can be located in anyposition relative to each other for effective cooling of the first zone10. The second evaporator can also be located behind the second zonerear wall 170. The second evaporator is in air flow communication withthe second zone 100 by one or more second zone outlets 190 and one ormore second zone inlets (not shown). The second zone inlets and outletscan be located in any position relative to each other for effectivecooling of the second zone 100. In FIG. 2, the first zone 10 is locatedbelow the second zone 100 and the two zones are separated by a thermallyconductive wall 90.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first zone 10 can comprise a drawer 210 thatabuts or is otherwise proximate the thermally conductive wall 90.Although only one drawer is shown in FIG. 2, the first zone 10 cancomprise multiple drawers or compartments. The first zone 10 furthercomprises one or more ducts for channeling air flow within the firstzone 10. For example, the first zone 10 can comprise a left duct 140, acenter duct 150, and a right duct 160, any combination of which can beused to circulate air through the first zone 10. The air handlingfunctions are separated into one or more ducts, which can function asair receiving ducts and air distributing ducts. Any of the ducts canencompass or otherwise house or conceal the first evaporator (notshown). The one or more ducts can comprise one or more inlets andoutlets (not shown) for air flow communication with the first zone 10.Further, the one or more ducts can include ribs (not shown) forchanneling the air in a particular desired direction, depending on theduct and evaporator arrangement.

The drawer 210 optionally has one or more openings (not shown) thatcorrespond to inlets or outlets (not shown) in the receiving ducts ordistributing ducts, for allowing air to circulate through the drawer210. The first zone 10 further can comprise a dial 220 or otheroperating means to enable a user to open or close the openings in thedrawer 210. The dial 220 can also be used in conjunction with blockingfeatures to reduce the size of the openings in the drawer 210. When theopenings are closed, air circulates around the drawer 210, but generallynot over the thermally conductive wall 90. When the dial is operated toopen the openings in the drawer 210, the second zone air circulatesthrough the drawer, directly using the air flow to cool the contents ofthe drawer. Thus, the user can choose between two modes of operation forcooling the first zone 10. In either mode of operation, the second airflow is maintained substantially independent from the first air flow bythe thermally conductive wall 90.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the refrigerator 5 illustrated inFIG. 2 with the thermally conductive wall 90 and drawer 210 removed.Removal of the drawer 210 and wall 90 reveals the left duct 140, rightduct 160, first zone rear wall 50, and drawer supports 240. As shown inFIG. 3, the left duct 140, center duct 150, and right duct 160 are notconcealed behind the refrigerator walls. However, the ducts optionallycan be located behind any refrigerator wall, such as the first zone rearwall 50 or the second zone rear wall 170, in front of the refrigeratorwalls, or any combination thereof. Additionally, any number of ducts canbe included in the first zone 10 and can be arranged in any fashion.

In one aspect, the thermally conductive wall 90 rests on ledge 230, theleft duct 140, and the right duct 160. However, the wall 90 can bepositioned in the refrigerator in any conventional manner. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the ledge 230 is part of the center duct 150 withthe thermally conductive wall 90 abutting the center duct 150 instead ofthe second zone rear wall 170. The center duct 150 and ledge 230 allowair flow from the first zone 10 into the center duct 150 through the oneor more duct apertures 250 in the center duct 150 and ledge 230. In FIG.3, portions of the center duct 150 are removed to reveal the firstevaporator fan 30. The first evaporator fan 30 draws air from the firstzone 10 through duct aperture 250 and over the first evaporator 20 (seeFIG. 4). Although the first evaporator fan is shown in the center ductin FIG. 3, the first evaporator fan can be located in any of the ductsfor generation of air flow in the first zone.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the refrigerator 5 from FIG. 3 is illustratedwith the left duct 140, center duct 150, right duct 160, drawer supports240, and ledge 230 removed. Removal of the center duct 150 exposes thefirst zone outlet 70 and the first evaporator outlet 260. Portions ofthe first evaporator 20 are visible through the first zone outlet 70 andthe first evaporator outlet 260. The first evaporator 20 is encompassedby a first evaporator duct 270, all of which are located behind thesecond zone rear wall 170. The first evaporator 20 can be located in anyposition in the refrigerator with corresponding ducts as long as airflow communication with the first evaporator 20 is maintained.

The first evaporator fan draws air through duct aperture 250 and intothe first evaporator duct 270 through the first zone outlet 70. The airreenters the center duct 150 via the first evaporator outlet 260, thenenters the first zone 10 through any number of distributing ducts in airflow communication with the center duct 150 and the first zone 10.

In FIG. 5, portions of the second zone rear wall 170 are removed toreveal the first evaporator 20 as encompassed by the first evaporatorduct 270. The first evaporator duct 270 optionally can include means forchanneling the air in a desired direction over the first evaporator 20.For example, a blocking means (not shown) can be installed and canextend upwardly from the bottom of the first evaporator duct 270 tocreate a substantially U-shaped air flow channel in the first evaporatorduct 270. Thus, air enters the first evaporator duct 270 via the firstzone outlet 70, flows through the U-shaped channel over the firstevaporator or heat exchanger 20, and exits the first evaporator duct 270via the first evaporator outlet 260.

In the configuration of FIG. 6, first air flow 80 passes through thecenter duct 150 and right duct 160. The right duct 160 is in air flowcommunication with the first zone 10 via the first zone inlet 60. In oneaspect, the first zone inlet 60 is located near the front of the rightduct 160 away from the first zone rear wall 50. Such a configurationdirects air from the front right corner of the first zone 10 to the rearleft corner of the first zone 10.

The first zone typically operates at a temperature from about 4° F. toabout 7° F. below the average second zone temperature. To achieve thistemperature difference, the second evaporator or heat exchangertypically operates at a temperature from about 15° F. to about 20° F.,which can create a second zone temperature from about 38° F. to about43° F. The first evaporator or heat exchanger typically operates at atemperature from about −5° F. to about −10° F., which can create a firstzone temperature from about 31° F. to about 34° F.

Both the first and the second evaporator coils are cooled by liquidrefrigerant ejected from the high pressure side of a compressor, intothe corresponding low pressure evaporator coils. The condenser andcondenser fans can be located in a variety of places, for example, underthe compartment or on the back of the compartment, for removal of thetransferred heat by exhaust or condenser fans.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art. All equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention. Further, thevarious components of the embodiments of the present invention can beinterchanged to produce further embodiments and these furtherembodiments are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.Various modifications can be made to the invention without departingfrom the scope thereof. Therefore, the foregoing is considered asillustrative only.

1. A refrigerator comprising: a first zone and a second zone wherein thefirst zone is disposed within the second zone; a refrigeration systemcomprising a first evaporator and a second evaporator connected inseries and a refrigerant, the first evaporator cooling the first zone toa first temperature, the second evaporator cooling the second zone to asecond temperature, and the refrigerant proceeding through the firstcondenser and through the second condenser; wherein the first evaporatorhas a first evaporator volume and the second evaporator has a secondevaporator volume; wherein the first evaporator volume is different thanthe second evaporator volume; and wherein the first temperature isdifferent than the second temperature.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1,wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a compressor, acondenser, a first expansion valve, a first fan for providing air flowover the first evaporator, and a second fan for providing air flow overthe second evaporator.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein therefrigerant flows continuously through the first expansion valve,through the first evaporator, through the second evaporator, through thecompressor, through the condenser, and returns to the first expansionvalve.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration systemfurther comprises a thermostatic controller.
 5. The refrigerator ofclaim 1, wherein the first temperature and the second temperature areabove-freezing.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein therefrigeration system is capable of maintaining the first temperaturefrom 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature.
 7. Therefrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration system is capable ofmaintaining the first temperature from 4° F. to 7° F. lower than thesecond temperature.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the firstzone comprises at least one drawer.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 1,wherein: the second evaporator is in air flow communication with thesecond zone by a second zone air inlet through which air enters thesecond zone, and a second zone air outlet through which air exits thesecond zone; and the second zone air inlet is situated above the secondzone air outlet.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein: the firstevaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by a firstzone air inlet through which air enters the first zone, and a first zoneair outlet through which air exits the first zone; and the first zoneair inlet is situated below the first zone air outlet.
 11. Therefrigerator of claim 1, wherein: the refrigeration system is capable ofmaintaining the first temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than thesecond temperature; the first evaporator is in air flow communicationwith the first zone by a receiving duct through which air exits thefirst zone, a distributing duct through which air enters the first zone,and a first evaporator fan in air flow communication with the receivingduct and the distributing duct; and the first evaporator can be housedin either the receiving duct or the distributing duct.
 12. Therefrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first evaporator volume is smallerthan the second evaporator volume.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 1,wherein the first evaporator comprises first evaporator coils and thesecond evaporator comprises second evaporator coils; wherein the secondevaporator coils have a second internal diameter and the firstevaporator coils have a first internal diameter; and wherein the secondinternal diameter is larger than the first internal diameter.
 14. Therefrigerator of claim 13, wherein the second evaporator coils are longerthan the first evaporator coils.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 1,wherein the first evaporator comprises first evaporator coils and thesecond evaporator comprises second evaporator coils; wherein the secondevaporator coils are longer than the first evaporator coils.
 16. Therefrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a second expansion valvelocated between the first evaporator and second evaporator.
 17. Arefrigerator comprising: a first zone and a second zone; a refrigerationsystem comprising a first evaporator and a second evaporator connectedin series and a refrigerant, the first evaporator cooling the first zoneto a first temperature, the second evaporator cooling the second zone toa second temperature, and the refrigerant proceeding through the firstcondenser and through the second condenser; wherein the first evaporatorhas a first evaporator volume and the second evaporator has a secondevaporator volume; wherein the first evaporator volume is different thanthe second evaporator volume; wherein the first temperature is differentthan the second temperature; and wherein the first and second zone shareat least one thermally conductive common wall.
 18. The refrigerator ofclaim 17, wherein the refrigeration system further comprises acompressor, a condenser, a first expansion valve, a first fan forproviding air flow over the first evaporator, and a second fan forproviding air flow over the second evaporator.
 19. The refrigerator ofclaim 18, wherein the refrigerant flows continuously through the firstexpansion valve, through the first evaporator, through the secondevaporator, through the compressor, through the condenser, and returnsto the first expansion valve.
 20. The refrigerator of claim 17, whereinthe refrigeration system further comprises a thermostatic controller.21. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first temperature and thesecond temperature are above-freezing.
 22. The refrigerator of claim 17,wherein the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the firsttemperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature. 23.The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the refrigeration system iscapable of maintaining the first temperature from 4° F. to 7° F. lowerthan the second temperature.
 24. The refrigerator of claim 17, whereinthe first zone is located below the second zone.
 25. The refrigerator ofclaim 17, wherein the first zone is located above the second zone. 26.The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first zone comprises at leastone drawer.
 27. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein: the secondevaporator is in air flow communication with the second zone by a secondzone air inlet through which air enters the second zone, and a secondzone air outlet through which air exits the second zone; and the secondzone air inlet is situated above the second zone air outlet.
 28. Therefrigerator of claim 17, wherein: the first evaporator is in air flowcommunication with the first zone by a first zone air inlet throughwhich air enters the first zone, and a first zone air outlet throughwhich air exits the first zone; and the first zone air inlet is situatedbelow the first zone air outlet.
 29. The refrigerator of claim 17,wherein: the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the firsttemperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature; thefirst evaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by areceiving duct through which air exits the first zone, a distributingduct through which air enters the first zone, and a first evaporator fanin air flow communication with the receiving duct and the distributingduct; and the first evaporator can be housed in either the distributingduct or the receiving duct.
 30. The refrigerator of claim 17, whereinthe first evaporator volume is smaller than the second evaporatorvolume.
 31. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first evaporatorcomprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprisessecond evaporator coils; wherein the second evaporator coils have asecond internal diameter and the first evaporator coils have a firstinternal diameter; and wherein the second internal diameter is largerthan the first internal diameter.
 32. The refrigerator of claim 31,wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporatorcoils.
 33. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the first evaporatorcomprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprisessecond evaporator coils; wherein the second evaporator coils are longerthan the first evaporator coils.
 34. The refrigerator of claim 17,further comprising a second expansion valve located between the firstevaporator and second evaporator.
 35. A method for maintaining a firstzone and a second zone of a refrigerator at different temperatures, themethod comprising: cooling the first zone to a first temperature with afirst evaporator; cooling the second zone to a second temperature with asecond evaporator; wherein the first zone is disposed within the secondzone; wherein the first evaporator and second evaporator are connectedin series; wherein the first evaporator has a first evaporator volumeand the second evaporator has a second evaporator volume; wherein thesecond evaporator volume is different than the first evaporator volume;and wherein the first temperature is different than the secondtemperature.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the refrigerationsystem further comprises a compressor, a condenser, a first expansionvalve, a first fan for providing air flow over the first evaporator, anda second fan for providing air flow over the second evaporator.
 37. Themethod of claim 36, wherein the refrigerant flows continuously throughthe first expansion valve, through the first evaporator, through thesecond evaporator, through the compressor, through the condenser, andreturns to the first expansion valve.
 38. The method of claim 35,wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a thermostaticcontroller.
 39. The method of claim 35, wherein the first temperatureand the second temperature are above-freezing.
 40. The method of claim35, wherein the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the firsttemperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the second temperature. 41.The method of claim 35, wherein the first zone comprises at least onedrawer.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the at least one drawercomprises one or more openings; and wherein the first air flow passesthrough the one or more openings to directly cool the at least onedrawer.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the first zone furthercomprises blocking means for closing the one or more openings; andwherein the first air flow does not pass through the at least one drawerwhen the one or more openings are blocked to indirectly cool the atleast one drawer.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein a user canmanipulate the blocking means to directly cool or indirectly cool the atleast one drawer.
 45. The method of claim 35, wherein: the secondevaporator is in air flow communication with the second zone by a secondzone air inlet through which air enters the second zone, and a secondzone air outlet through which air exits the second zone; and the secondzone air inlet is situated above the second zone air outlet.
 46. Themethod of claim 35, wherein: the first evaporator is in air flowcommunication with the first zone by a first zone air inlet throughwhich air enters the first zone, and a first zone air outlet throughwhich air exits the first zone; and the first zone air inlet is situatedbelow the first zone air outlet.
 47. The method of claim 46, wherein thefirst zone comprises at least one drawer; wherein the drawer comprisesone or more openings corresponding to the first zone air inlet; whereinthe first zone air outlet comprises an opening located above the atleast one drawer; and wherein the first air flow is maintainedsubstantially within the at least one drawer.
 48. The method of claim35, wherein: the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining thefirst temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the secondtemperature; the first evaporator is in air flow communication with thefirst zone by a receiving duct through which air exits the first zone, adistributing duct through which air enters the first zone, and a firstevaporator fan in air flow communication with the receiving duct and thedistributing duct; and the first evaporator can be housed in either thereceiving duct or the distributing duct.
 49. The method of claim 35,wherein the first evaporator volume is smaller than the secondevaporator volume.
 50. The method of claim 35, wherein the firstevaporator comprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporatorcomprises second evaporator coils; wherein the second evaporator coilshave a second internal diameter and the first evaporator coils have afirst internal diameter; and wherein the second internal diameter islarger than the first internal diameter.
 51. The method of claim 50,wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporatorcoils.
 52. The method of claim 35, wherein the first evaporatorcomprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprisessecond evaporator coils; wherein the second evaporator coils are longerthan the first evaporator coils.
 53. The method of claim 35, furthercomprising a second expansion valve located between the first evaporatorand second evaporator.
 54. A method for maintaining a first zone and asecond zone of a refrigerator at different temperatures, the methodcomprising: cooling the first zone to a first temperature with a firstevaporator; cooling the second zone to a second temperature with asecond evaporator; wherein the first and second zone share at least onethermally conductive common wall; wherein the first evaporator andsecond evaporator are connected in series; wherein the first evaporatorhas a first evaporator volume and the second evaporator has a secondevaporator volume; wherein the second evaporator volume is differentthan the first evaporator volume; and wherein the second temperature isdifferent than the first temperature.
 55. The method of claim 54,wherein the refrigeration system further comprises a compressor, acondenser, a first expansion valve, a first fan for providing air flowover the first evaporator, and a second fan for providing air flow overthe second evaporator.
 56. The method of claim 55, wherein therefrigerant flows continuously through the first expansion valve,through the first evaporator, through the second evaporator, through thecompressor, through the condenser, and returns to the first expansionvalve.
 57. The method of claim 54, wherein the refrigeration systemfurther comprises a thermostatic controller.
 58. The method of claim 54,wherein the first temperature and the second temperature areabove-freezing.
 59. The method of claim 54, wherein the refrigerationsystem is capable of maintaining the first temperature from 2° F. to 10°F. lower than the second temperature.
 60. The method of claim 54,wherein the first zone comprises at least one drawer.
 61. The method ofclaim 60, wherein the at least one drawer comprises one or moreopenings; and wherein the first air flow passes through the one or moreopenings to directly cool the at least one drawer.
 62. The method ofclaim 61, wherein the first zone further comprises blocking means forclosing the one or more openings; and wherein the first air flow doesnot pass through the at least one drawer when the one or more openingsare blocked to indirectly cool the at least one drawer.
 63. The methodof claim 62, wherein a user can manipulate the blocking means todirectly cool or indirectly cool the at least one drawer.
 64. The methodof claim 54, wherein: the second evaporator is in air flow communicationwith the second zone by a second zone air inlet through which air entersthe second zone, and a second zone air outlet through which air exitsthe second zone; and the second zone air inlet is situated above thesecond zone air outlet.
 65. The method of claim 54, wherein: the firstevaporator is in air flow communication with the first zone by a firstzone air inlet through which air enters the first zone, and a first zoneair outlet through which air exits the first zone; and the first zoneair inlet is situated above the first zone air outlet.
 66. The method ofclaim 65, wherein the first zone comprises at least one drawer; whereinthe drawer comprises one or more openings corresponding to the firstzone air inlet; wherein the first zone air outlet comprises an openinglocated above the at least one drawer; and wherein the first air flow ismaintained substantially within the at least one drawer.
 67. The methodof claim 54, wherein: the refrigeration system is capable of maintainingthe first temperature from 2° F. to 10° F. lower than the secondtemperature; the first evaporator is in air flow communication with thefirst zone by a receiving duct through which air exits the first zone, adistributing duct through which air enters the first zone, and a firstevaporator fan in air flow communication with the receiving duct and thedistributing duct; and the first evaporator can be housed in either thereceiving duct or the distributing duct.
 68. The method of claim 54,wherein the second evaporator volume is larger than the first evaporatorvolume.
 69. The method of claim 54, wherein the first evaporatorcomprises first evaporator coils and the second evaporator comprisessecond evaporator coils; wherein the second evaporator coils have asecond internal diameter and the first evaporator coils have a firstinternal diameter; and wherein the second internal diameter is largerthan the first internal diameter.
 70. The method of claim 69, whereinthe second evaporator coils are longer than the first evaporator coils.71. The method of claim 54, wherein the first evaporator comprises firstevaporator coils and the second evaporator comprises second evaporatorcoils; wherein the second evaporator coils are longer than the firstevaporator coils.
 72. The method of claim 54, further comprising asecond expansion valve located between the first evaporator and secondevaporator.